Brazil

Christophe Simon / AFP Getty Images

What began as protest in Brazil over a proposed 10-cent increase in bus fares quickly turned into one of the biggest street demonstrations in that country's recent history. In June, more than a quarter of a million people took to the streets across major cities, demanding lower transit fares, among other government reforms. Some have compared the mass protests to the Occupy movement in the United States, others to those in Greece, where citizens filled the streets angry over economic conditions. But the reality is that while Brazil's economy is growing and the leftist government of President Dilma Rousseff and her predecessor have pushed through some reforms, the country remains deeply divided between rich and poor. The demonstrations are merely the latest reminder of the deep social problems facing Brazil. Above: Demonstrators overturn a bus on June 19. RELATED:Ted Rall's five best cartoons of 2013Washington's 5 biggest 'fails' of 20132013 endings: Columnist Patt Morrison on what she won't miss

What began as protest in Brazil over a proposed 10-cent increase in bus fares quickly turned into one of the biggest street demonstrations in that country's recent history. In June, more than a quarter of a million people took to the streets across major cities, demanding lower transit fares, among other government reforms. Some have compared the mass protests to the Occupy movement in the United States, others to those in Greece, where citizens filled the streets angry over economic conditions. But the reality is that while Brazil's economy is growing and the leftist government of President Dilma Rousseff and her predecessor have pushed through some reforms, the country remains deeply divided between rich and poor. The demonstrations are merely the latest reminder of the deep social problems facing Brazil. Above: Demonstrators overturn a bus on June 19. RELATED:Ted Rall's five best cartoons of 2013Washington's 5 biggest 'fails' of 20132013 endings: Columnist Patt Morrison on what she won't miss (Christophe Simon / AFP Getty Images)

What began as protest in Brazil over a proposed 10-cent increase in bus fares quickly turned into one of the biggest street demonstrations in that country's recent history. In June, more than a quarter of a million people took to the streets across major cities, demanding lower transit fares, among other government reforms. Some have compared the mass protests to the Occupy movement in the United States, others to those in Greece, where citizens filled the streets angry over economic conditions. But the reality is that while Brazil's economy is growing and the leftist government of President Dilma Rousseff and her predecessor have pushed through some reforms, the country remains deeply divided between rich and poor. The demonstrations are merely the latest reminder of the deep social problems facing Brazil. Above: Demonstrators overturn a bus on June 19. RELATED:Ted Rall's five best cartoons of 2013Washington's 5 biggest 'fails' of 20132013 endings: Columnist Patt Morrison on what she won't miss